ScienceAsia 27 (2001) : 203-209 |doi: 10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2001.27.203

No Significant Sexual Dimorphism of the Corpus Callosum in Thai Subjects: A Study Using Stained Plastinated Brain Slices

Pisit Poltana^a, Noppawon Poulpanich^b, Boonsirm Withyachumnarnkul^c,*, Lalita Suriyaprapadilok^d and Phensiri Inthisean^c

ABSTRACT: The morphological difference between male and female corpus callosum, in terms of total or partial cross sectional areas, have been reported with controversy. While some investigators showed the presence of sexual dimorphism of this structure, others reported none. Most studies suggest that the splenium of the corpus callosum in the female brain is significantly larger and more bulbous than that in the male. In the present study, 32 plastinated brain slices from Thai males and females, 16 of each sex, were used for morphometry of the corpus callosum. Both linear parameters and areas of the corpus callosum were determined. In the sagittal plane, the rostrum of the corpus callosum of the males was slightly larger than that of the females, while the rostral body, the isthmus and the splenium were somewhat larger in the females. In the coronal plane, the area of the male corpus callosum tended to be larger than that of the female. However, the differences were not statistically significant. It is concluded that no significant sexual dimorphism of the corpus callosum was found in the brains of Thai people.

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a Department of Basic Science and General Education, Boromarajonani College of Nursing
Sawanpracharak, Nakhon Sawan, Thailand.
b Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Rangsit University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.
c Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
d School of Physiotherapy, Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand .

* Corresponding author, E-mail: boonsirm@asianet.co.th

Received 19 Dec 2000, Accepted 15 Jun 2001